Thomas F. Jones

Thomas Franklin Jones
23rd President of the University of South Carolina
In office 1962–1974
Preceded by	Robert Llewellyn Sumwalt
Succeeded by	William H. Patterson
Personal details
Born	(1916-07-09)July 9, 1916 Henderson, Tennessee
Died	July 14, 1981
Spouse	Mary Butterworth
Children	5
Alma mater	Mississippi State University (BS) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Master of Science)
Occupation	Administrator, professor

Thomas Franklin Jones (July 9, 1916 – July 14, 1981) was an academic and university administrator who served as the 23rd president of the University of South Carolina from 1962 until 1974, presiding over an era that included racial integration of the university, the Watergate scandal, the Vietnam War and other social changes.

Early life and career

Jones was born July 9, 1916, in Henderson, Tennessee. He graduated from Mississippi State University and from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

President of the University of South Carolina

The university during Jones' tenure, 1973.

The university during Jones' tenure, 1973.

Jones was elected by the board of trustees to serve as president of the university in 1962, one year before the institution was formally integrated by three Black students, Henrie Monteith Treadwell, Robert G. Anderson and James L. Solomon Jr. The decision to integrate was met with protests, but eventually was conducted without incident.

Jones is credited with expansion of the campus footprint, its graduate school programs and offerings.

Death

Jones died on July 14, 1981.